LEAC increase again

Not meaning to hi-jack this thread... but, on a related note:

I saw an article in Popular Science about roof tile solar panels... the roof tiles ARE the solar panels:

http://www.popsci.com/bown/2009/product/sol%C3%A9-power-tile

http://www.coolthings.com/sole-power-tile-makes-your-solar-roof-look-good/

What's happening with cost of solar energy in USVI these days? I'm guessing the rebates are getting better and better. Cory, you out there?

What's happening with cost of solar energy in USVI these days? I'm guessing the rebates are getting better and better. Cory, you out there?

New rebate prog came out about 2 months ago...Its a 3 year plan or until the money runs out.

www.vienergy.org -- All info is posted here!

-$8,200 off for batteryless system, $11,500 off for a battery system, combine that with the 30% fed tax credit and its gotten ALOT better.

About $4000 out of pocket cost for a 2.1k residential PV system, after the VIEO rebate and 30% fed tax credit....Thats UNDER 4 year payback! Then 30+ years of free power, not to mention increase value of your home. Its a no-brainer...the toughest part for most people is coming up with the $4k.

Cory K.

Cory, WOW, that's a fantastic price. I wonder how much longer the government will subsidize this technology?

If I had a house there the toughest part for me would be the need to take the panels down every time there is a hint of a hurricane. That's one of the things I like about the roof tile panels... they seem pretty robust. Also, if you could line up the tiles running N/S then it seems like the curved surface might improve insolation over flat panels... any thoughts?

Good questions..!!

The insolation doesn't change per say, that's the power of the sun which varies depending on where you are on our planet and at diff times of the year. Were also talking this film vs mono/poly crystalline panels, you would need alot more space in thin film that panels, approx 2 to 4 times more space than traditional mono panels to achieve the same amount of power.
Today's solar panels are tough as nails. They are tested in all environments from frozen tundra to the tropics. One of the tests is 1 inch hail at 50 mph directly onto the glass face. The glass used on solar panels is a low iron (less green, high light transmission), tempered glass. It is 4 times stronger than regular annealed/plate glass. Whether its roof tiles or solar panels, nothing will take the beating of coconuts/debris going through the air at over 100 mph. In fact i think it would cost more to replace solar roof tiles than traditional solar panels should they get damaged. Removing a dozen solar panels would take me 10 minutes, maybe 30 minutes for someone that has never done it before. You wouldn't have to remove them unless a "big" storm is coming and you expect large flying debris. As for the mounting structure...the roof will go before the structure.

great site for Insolation/sun values for St Croix - http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/frederiksted-southeast.html

"I wonder how much longer the government will subsidize this technology?"

Until the money runs out...

Cory K.

Oil prices have gone up a bit and forcast to go higher, but heres the real reason for the LEAC jump....

"The second reason for the LEAC hike is that the under-recovered fuel costs have mounted to $60 million and must be recovered to protect WAPA's bond ratings and financial security. While $40 million has been paid off with a loan - the repayment of which must also be paid for through the LEAC - WAPA still has $20 million outstanding in under-recovered fuel costs. "